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PROYECTO SIERRA MAZATECA

We are dedicated to the exploration and conservation of the karst ecosystem in the Sierra Mazateca, Oaxaca, Mexico. In addition to discovering and exploring caves, our group is focused on preserving the highland cloud forests, precious water resources, and Mazatec cultural pride. We develop conservation programs to educate the students. We also help generate markets for the organic foods produced in the Sierra Mazateca region, such as coffee, sugar, and honey. Future goals include the preservation and restoration of Cafetal Carlota. We look forward to adding more photos, trip reports, maps, and videos.

Proyecto Sierra Mazateca: December 2013 - January 2014

WOW! Another Mexican journey that went by too fast. We visited a variety of places in the Sierra Mazateca, and leave many leads waiting for us to return. We had a lot of help throughout our time, from local friends and officials, and a group of great cavers. Thank you - Ron Adams, Andy Armstrong, Mike Frazier, Donna Frazier, Paul Mozal, Rolland Moore, and Coeli Velki - for participating and helping us find and map caves - per Tony, Marion, & Simon Akers.

One of our project goals was a reforestation project in the Rio Santiago area - per a promotion held by Carlota Gardens in March of 2013. The area has noticed its natural spring's water flow decreased over the years, and a small collective in the town is helping by planting trees up and along the spring's boundaries. This project is ongoing and in process.

Several donations were made for education outreach for the region of Huautla de Jimenez. The Central Indiana Grotto had donated $500 for the elementary school in Rio Santiago. A digital projector was purchased and presented to the director of the school. We were able to see a program the whole school was working on, the natural plant medicines in the Sierra. The Southern Colorado Grotto also donated $600 to the elementary school of Agua de la Rosa, and those funds will help build a proper school for its 100 elementary children. Go to

to see photos and more....

We continued cave exploration in the region of Huautla de Jimenez, in Agua de la Rosa and in an area south of Rio Santiago, a valley called "Rancho Arco Iris". There we established a base and began exploring the valley's karst. We learned a great deal the two weeks that we were there. Go to

to learn more!

Our reforestation project has begun!! From a promotion held by Carlota Gardens, about $600 was given to Rio Santiago, to begin reforestation efforts. We met a young man in Rio Santiago in January of 2013 who was part of a collective, calling themselves “Juvenil Collectivo Rio Santiago". Their purpose is to help their community develop responsibly, by protecting their people and their environment. Being of like mind, we discussed our goals with the leader of the group, Miguel Morales. He had noticed that the spring, which provides clean water for the people in Rio Santiago, was flowing less than it had in previous generations and attributed it to deforestation on the hillsides above the spring. We know that deforestation, causes rapid downflow of rainfall, rather than slower seepage into the spring-fed aquifers, and can see the effects in other large springs in the region. We also realize that total protection of the forests may not realistic, but promotion of reforestation could be a feasible option for communities throughout the Sierra. We were back in December, 2013, with our contribution and our willingness to begin this aspect of our project. We discussed our options – what kind of trees, where to plant, what are the landowner concerns – and decided to begin with cedar trees. Although they are slow-growing, they are indigenous and protected by federal law. Over 400 trees were acquired from a town close to us, and transported to Rio Santiago. Landowners and local officials were consulted for their approval. Through combined efforts from the collective and from the primary school, in February, 2014, volunteers and 6th graders were enlisted to help begin the planting. Although this is a long-term project, and more trees will be planted in 2014, this beginning was awesome! Not only did we get trees replanted, schoolchildren contributed their energy and were taught how important reforestation is for the future of the Sierra Mazateca and their families. More trees are planned for planting in the coming months. And Carlota Gardens is doing that promotion again at the Philadelphia Flower Show for 2014. Thank you, Flower Show customers!!! Check out the photos below to see some results......

A cloud forest, filled with vines, epiphytes, orchids.......Imagine climbing up through the rainforest, battling hanging vines with your machete, wishing you were wearing gloves, because there are strange nettles and spiny trees, and suddenly you are surrounded by begonias grandes, with huge leaves and flowers in pink and white.......
go to-------------ECOLOGY

With the generous help and support from cavers, friends, grants, our own energy and love, we are able to continue working toward our overall goals. Each year brings adventures, challenges, parties, and life-changing experiences for us all.

The Proyecto Sierra Mazateca Corporation, now registered in the state of Indiana as a non-profit corporation, was formed as of September 4, 2012. The purposes of the Proyecto Sierra Mazateca Corporation, defined in Article 11 of the Articles of Incorporation, are to protect, explore, and study the karst ecosystem, and to promote water conservation and Mazatec culture preservation within the Sierra Mazateca, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

THANK YOU - NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GENEROUS FUNDING FOR THE 2012 - 2013 EXPEDITION. The funding helped make our expedition possible, providing us with equipment to help our education outreach and conservation efforts.

We would like to thank our sponsors for their support to help preserve this important karst ecosystem and culture of the Sierra Mazateca:

We also thank the countless people, friends and cavers alike, who have helped and contributed to the project with their energy, smiles, and sweat. To name a few that have contributed with extra gear, funds, or other equipment:

We would not be able to do any cave exploration without the trust and kindness of the local Mazatec people. Whether it be a friend or offical, we appreciate their willingness to let us in their worlds, and do our best to respect their spaces and customs. Thank you!

Our extended family in the Sierra Mazateca. Tony, Marion, and Simon Akers, and Rolland Moore in photo with family members of Waldo and Ines and more from the family of Perfecto and Ines